Oliver Inks Contract with Philadelphia Phillies

BY ANDRES FOCIL

FAYETTEVILLE – Former University of Arkansas right-handed pitcher Chris Oliver signed a professional contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, as announced on Thursday morning.

Oliver was selected in the fourth round by the Phillies and was one of six Razorbacks taken in the 2014 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

"I think the thing I’m going to miss the most about Arkansas is the fans," said Oliver. "Having a packed house every weekend and the atmosphere Baum Stadium has under the lights is incredible. The camaraderie that comes from being a Razorback and all the people you meet and the teammates you have is something I will never forget. A lot of great guys come through that program and I was lucky to a part of it."

A native of Farmington, Ark., Oliver posted a 9-4 record as a starting pitcher for the Razorbacks in 2014. He had a 2.51 earned run average in 93.1 innings of work and added 59 strikeouts, while opponents hit .213 against the hard-throwing right hander.

The junior allowed one earned run or less in 10 of his 16 starts this season, and recorded a career-high 10 strikeouts against No. 1 South Carolina on April 5, lasting 8.0 innings as Arkansas shutout the top-ranked Gamecocks to earn a series win. He later captured SEC Pitcher of the Week honors for his performance against the No. 1 team in the land.

Oliver rose to the occasion against the best programs in the country in 2014, facing seven teams ranked in the top 25 in the country and posting a 5-1 record. He earned wins over No. 1 South Carolina, No. 8 LSU, No. 11 Vanderbilt and added two victories against Ole Miss when the Rebels were ranked in the top 10.

He has a career earned run average of 2.64 in 41 collegiate appearances, including a 12-6 record and .217 batting average against.

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